Designed for professional film and video location work, this eight-input, twelve track audio recorder has an integral time code reader and generator. It can can record up to twelve tracks, arranged as eight mono, a stereo pair and two auxiliary, in any matrixed combination from up to eight inputs, Each input can be microphone or line-level analogue or one channel of an AES3 digital pair. Recordings are made in WAV files in resolutions up to 24-bit, 96kHz resolution, on any combination of the 160GB internal hard drive, a removable Compact Flash card or an external hard, or DVD-RAM drive connected via IEEE-1394a or IEE-1394b FireWire.
The digital inputs are compatible with AES42 Mode 1-compliant digital microphones. Recordings are AES31-compatible WAV files at 16 or 24-bit word length and 32, 44.1, 47.952, 48, 40.048, 88.2, 96 or 96.096kHz sample frequencies. The unit can also replay MP3 files recorded at various bit rates up to 320kbps. An external sync input accepts wordclock or NTSC/PAL video to synchronise the digital inputs with an external source; sample-rate conversion is performed if necessary. The 788T includes a time code reader and generator, and the menu system offers a large range of time code options, including the ability to start and stop recording in sync with incoming code. All standard frame rates are supported. Recorded files are BWF-compatible. The 788T is also compatible with iXML metadata. The analogue inputs have 48 volt phantom power, analogue limiters, phase reverse and swept high-pass filters at 40-320Hz and 6 or 12dB/octave slopes; all functions are switchable. Headphone monitoring is provided for almost any combination of tracks and inputs, including MS decoding and B-format surround decoding. The 788T incorporates a comprehensive file management system organised to suit the daily requirements of the professional field recordist; filenames may include user-defined scene and take strings. File transfer to a computer (PC or Mac) or DAW may be via either FireWire port or USB. Multiple Sound Devices 7-Series units can be slaved together using the units 'C-Link' buss, which distributes transport control, word-clock and time-code. Power source is a standard Li-on camcorder battery or external DC; battery charging is on-board. The 788T may be controlled remotely from several accessory devices or a standard USB QWERTY keyboard.
On the front panel there are individual transport controls for record, play, stop, fast forward and rewind, plus further keys for power on/off, line-up oscillator on/off, LCD backlight on/off and entry to the menu system. An 'Input' key opens the track select window to allow track arming. An 'HDD' key opens the file management system. All menu-controlled functions are accessed using the multi-function LCD display, which also shows time-code, take and time-of-day time data, scene and take information, and confirmations of various other unit settings. Input level is adjusted with eight rotary controls; these may be configured to vary the microphone amplifier gain or the channel gain. Four multi-function switches select the inputs for which settings will be displayed in the LCD. Monitoring of record level is by eight 13-segment LED bargraph meters; four may be selected to read tracks 9-12. Each meter includes a blue 'track arm' LED. Other per-input LEDs indicate recording media status and activity for each media type (tri-colour), headphone limiter action, record mode and power/charging status.
The left-hand side panel has eight balanced analogue input sockets; channels one to four are XLRs and channels five to eight are TA3 connectors. Headphone volume is adjusted with a rotary control.
The right-hand side panel provides analogue outputs for channels one to four in balanced form on TA3 connectors and for channels five and six in unbalanced form, on a 3.5mm 3-pole jack socket. Two AES3 digital outputs are provided on TA3 connectors; sources are selectable from the menu. A headphone output has both 6.35mm and 3.5mm 3-pole jack sockets. Time code input and output is on a 5-pin Lemo connector. A BNC socket accepts a video sync or word clock input while another outputs the internal word clock. External DC power input is via a 4-pin Hirose connector. Two FireWire ports are provided for connection to external drives for recording or file transfer; both 400 (IEE-1394a) and 800 (IEE-1394b) standards are catered for. A USB Type 'B' socket provides an alternative method of file transfer. A rotary control is used for item selection in the setup menus.
The rear panel has four AES3 digital inputs on a 15-pin female Dsub connector, which also carries an additional AES3 output and logic I/O, whose functions are user-assignable. There are two RJ12 'C-Link' sockets for connecting external control devices, a USB Type 'A' socket for connection of a QWERTY keyboard, the Compact Flash card slot, access to the battery compartment, and a Kensington-compatible security locking point.
Internal hard drive: 160GB (FAT32).
Removable media: Compact Flash (Types I and II), MicroDrive, 128MB to 2TB.
File formats: WAV, mono or poly Broadcast Wave-compatible16 or 24-bit WAV at 11 sample frequencies from 32kHz to 96.096kHz, for recording and playback. MP2, MP3 mono or stereo, at 5 bit rates from 64kb/s to 320kb/s, for playback only.
Recording times with 1GB CF: 3h 18m (WAV file, fs=44.1kHz, 16-bit, stereo); 30m (WAV file, fs=96kHz, 24-bit, stereo), per track.
External wordclock range: 32 to 96.096kHz.
Pre-record buffer: 5 seconds (at fs=48kHz).
Data output: FireWire (IEEE-1394a and IEEE-1394b) and USB 2.0; compatible with Windows 2000, XP, Vista and Mac OS-10.4.
Microphone input: 0 to 76dB gain range, +8dBu maximum input level, balanced. Line input: -26 to 50dB gain range, +26dBu maximum input level, balanced. Digital inputs: AES3, 110 ohms. Line outputs: +24dBu maximum, 10000 ohms load, balanced. Digital outputs: AES3 110 ohms. Response: 10Hz to 20kHz +0.1/-0.5dB, fs=48kHz, 24-bit. Distortion: 0.004% THD + Noise, analogue inputs, 1kHz, 22Hz to 22kHz. Battery: Removable 7.2V Li-on, compatible with Sony M or L-type. External power: 10 to 18V DC, 1A minimum. Operating temperature: 5-55 degrees C. Dimensions: 257 x 163 x 45 (w x d x h)mm. Weight: 1.7 kg (without batteries).
Included accessories: AC Power Supply (100 to 240V), 4600mAh rechargeable Li-on battery, RJ12 C-Link cable, CS-MAN Padded storage bag.
Optional accessories: CL-8 Mixing control surface; provides large rotary faders and hardware control for 788T primary setup functions. CL-1 Remote Control and Keyboard Interface; provides connection of PS/2 keyboard and record start/stop functions. CL-2 Remote control fader for boom poles; connects to C-Link port (79-2214). Compact Flash cards or Microdrives, external hard drive, XL-DVDRAM external DVD-RAM drive, XL-LCD lexan LCD covers, CS-5 and CS-MAN storage and carrying cases, XL-B2 spare Li-on battery. For cable sets and other accessories, please see Sound Devices Accessories.